So whether or not you’re just starting out in makeup or you’re well-versed in the makeup world, you still need a good read. The things that are in these books are essentials to the understanding of how makeup changes the face, from a basic look to runway couture.

Chances are, if you’re reading this blog you’ve heard of Francois Nars and Kevyn Aucoin. Kevyn Aucoin passed away in 2002 from liver failure due to a painkiller addiction. He lived his life through his passion for sculpting faces and making women (and men) feel beautiful.

Making Faces and Face Forward by Kevyn Aucoin

Making Faces is a great book for anyone who wants to learn the basics of contouring, highlighting, and makeup. This book is very inspiring and has been credited as the backbone for many makeup artists knowledge on face shapes and contouring. This book is definitely an essential.

Face Forward is another great book by Kevyn Aucoin that celebrates the beauty of being able to transform a face into something totally different.

An example from the Face Forward book. As you can see, Alex Peruzzi on the left, has been transformed into a Linda Evangelista look alike! At first glance, it is nearly impossible to tell that the image on the right is of a man. Learning the skill of transforming a man’s face into that of a woman is an incredible skill to obtain as a makeup artist.

Can you guess who this is?

(It’s Martha Stewart!)

The next essential book that I think is a must is the book by Francois Nars, Makeup Your Mind. When I first heard about this book I assumed that it would be just another makeup book and I would not need to check it out. When paroozing the beauty section of my local Borders, I realized otherwise…

The book is very thick and spiral bound (yay!), it also comes in a protective case that is very aesthetically pleasing. The concept of the book is to showcase the NARS looks and explain how they are done. The interesting thing about the book, though, is that when open the image on the left shows the model with no makeup while the image on the right shows the model with the full look. There is a plastic overlay that lays over the made up model’s face showing EXACTLY where each product is used and exactly what product is used.

Some looks from Makeup Your Mind

The book showcases many looks, from wild runway to fresh and dewy. I cannot wait to pick up this book, as I have noticed the price has dropped dramatically on Amazon.com

Who doesn’t like an elaborate nail once in a while? I know that I sure do! I can’t wait to try out some of these techniques the next time that I am painting my nails. Although nails like these have been on the runways, it seems that the real nail trends for the winter season are dark purples, greys, and dark browns.

Here is a look at O.P.I.‘s fall polishes from their “La Collection de France” collection

I am very excited about the prospect of finding nice purples and mauves!

To make the muted greys and purples look their best I would say to use: 1 coat of base, 2 coats of color (let dry between each coat!!), and 1 coat of top coat (I use Sally Hansen‘s diamond acrylic top coat because it is thick and my nails are very brittle). When painting your nails, try to just swipe the brush down the nail 3 times, once in the middle and once on each side of the nail, this will keep the color nice and not messy.

and for a little inspiration…

horray for junk food and hello kitty nails!!

This last one might be on my nails for xmas because I’m very into Christmas ❤

I found this interview with Patt McGrath, makeup artist for Christian Dior on The New York Times website. Here is a direct link to the video. It is the bottom icon in the video player. You can find the video also by going to the Fashion Review section of The New York Times website

That’s Patt McGrath on the left, explaining the inspirations. She explains that the looks are loosely based on Africa, yet also very healthy, modern, and glowy, with a lot of emphasis on a glowing body. I’ve noticed that the healthy, glowing, less is more look as come back into style and I like it 🙂

Patt emphasizes that the first look is about brown eyes, glossy lips, and a glowing body

The second look is more of a light eye and a “caramel” lip

The third look, she explains, is an evening look so they used smokey browns for the eyes and a chocolate mouth.

Patt also reveals that the makeup is interesting because it can be worn by the average woman as well as the runway model, ultimately tying into the street style that will be inspired by the Dior show.

Patt explains that her most amazing memory working with John Galliano was doing an Egypt look, as it required a lot of different pieces and technicalities.

I’m so excited because I just made some purchases online at Sephora.com and I was able to take advantage of their freebies!

Sephora is really good about giving you at least 3 free samples at check out (and for every 100 purchases or something like that you get a really good sample) not to mention they give you a free birthday surprise (this year and last year it was cupcake scented bubble bath!)

This beauty box is supposed to come in a traincase that has 15 samples

So if you’re already making a purchase at Sephora.com why not go ahead and enter “BEAUTYBOX” at checkout and get your freebies!

Not into free samples? Enter “SHIPFREE25” for free shipping instead 🙂

I am also really excited about Sephora carrying the Make Up For Ever (“MUFE” as it is commonly referred to) immaculate triple pallet.

Every time I look at this I melt into a little puddle on the floor. I can not afford this pallet as it is $390 (though a $640 value) even though it is an amazing value for the amount of product that you’re getting (and these are very high end amazing eye shadows) and the fact that they’re in the beautiful professional box and they are organized by color, instead of you having to buy them individually and then organizing them by color yourself (it’s harder than it sounds!).

This pallet is limited edition and an incredible find and if you have the money to shell out on your makeup kit then please buy this.